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Friday, February 26, 2010

Review: Glory in Death (In-Death Book 2) by J.D. Robb

In a time when technology can reveal the darkest of secrets, there's only one place to hide a crime of passion - in the heart. . .

The first victim was found lying on a sidewalk in the rain. The second was murdered in her own apartment building. Police lieutenant Eve Dallas had no problem finding connections between the two crimes. Both victims were beautiful and highly successful women. Their glamorous lives and loves were the talk of the city. And their intimate relations with men of great power and wealth provided Eve with a long list of suspects - including her own lover, Roarke. As a woman, Eve was compelled to trust the man who shared her bed. But as a cop, it was her job to follow every lead . . .to investigate every scandalous rumor . . .to explore every secret passion, no matter how dark. Or how dangerous.

"The dead were her business. She lived with them, worked with them, studied them. And because that didn't seem to be enough, in some deep, secret chamber of her heart, she mourned for them."

That is how Glory in Death begins and a theme that is carried out throughout the book -- justice and Eve as the avenger for the dead. Eve is plunged into the murder investigation of Prosecuting Attorney Towers, a successful woman who stands for justice. She finds herself in the middle of a delicate investigation that turns personal in more ways than one -- both Roarke and her own Captain are involved. When two other women are murdered and an acquaintance becomes snared by the murderer, Eve's race to solve the case becomes a race against time.

In Glory in Death, Robb further develops Eve's character both as a woman and as a cop. She explores her personal insecurities as a woman through her relationship with Roarke. As a cop, we get to experience how Eve's mind works, what procedures she uses to solve crimes, and how she reacts to both crime and victim. In her reaction to the victims, we see more of caring Eve, the woman who feels so much for them she'll go balls to the wall to get them justice, but if/or when unable to do so, takes it all onto herself. As a character, there is a lot of growth for Eve in this one book. You can see it in her rigid black and white mind-set at the beginning of the story, changing into a slightly softer gray "Roarke-like" mind-set by the end.

Eve's relationship with Roarke hits a glitch when she's unable to commit and he's unwilling to settle for less. Their passion is steamy and their pain is evident throughout their conflict. I loved the way Eve worked through her reluctance and the fact that Roarke understood her, but would not settle for less than what he wanted and she deserved. Roarke's ruthlessness, tenderness and willingness to commit to Eve were a winning combination in this installment. Robb weaved their romantic bliss and upheaval with the suspense quite well.

There were some favorite recurring secondary characters and relationships in this book. My favorite so far is Eve's prickly relationship with Roarke's butler Summerset. I can't believe she elbowed the old man to get into Roarke's house... I just can't -- that was a joy! I'm loving the way those two go out of their way to annoy each other. Eve's friendship with Mavis seems to be a steady one and one she needs to unwind. I like Mavis' irreverent qualities.

I found the suspense to be predictable in Glory in Death, just as it was in the first book, although the way the crime was solved was certainly enjoyable. So far, my favorite part of this series is the characterization, and of course Eve and Roarke's ongoing romance. Going on to read Immortal in Death.

Leslie, I was a bit frustrated with several things in this book, so I can understand why it's not your favorite. The characterization really kept this story going for me -- the changes Eve went through kept me interested.

With the suspense, well... I don't know, but Eve seemed to be easily distracted in this book. Her obsession and insistence on questioning Roarke drove me more than a bit batty on this one.

I agree - the characterization is great. So many things about Eve, Roarke, and their relationship are revealed in looks, thoughts, dialogue. I find something in each book that really touches me while watching their relationship take on more nuance.

I agree, the characterization in this book is awesome. Well, minus Mavis because I'm not really a fan of her for some unknown reason. The romance between Eve and Roarke really picks up in this book. The suspense, I didn't like so much.

Lori, this is only my second book, but I'm really enjoying the way the character growth and the relationships are progressing. Definitely a plus so far. :)

Tabitha, what I said above. *g* I tend to like irreverent characters. Mavis has potential for me, lol! The suspense? Hmm... agreed, but, I found the process and what it revealed about the characters interesting.

Personally, I think it's really the characterizations and Eve and Roarke's relationship which established this series. The first three cases aren't bad, but they aren't great either compared to my favorite. It's really the characters that carried the series at first :D

Great review, Hils! I think you're spot on with all of your observations on this one. Interestingly, I made a point to comment on the Eve vs. Summerset dynamic in my review of book 6 just yesterday, too! Those two are fascinating and entertaining. I get such a kick out of the scenes they're in together. LOL.

Am I the only one who likes Mavis? I guess I find their friendship interesting because it's unexpected. Plus I like the way Mavis is so comfortable with herself and pressures Eve to do girly things.

Thanks Christine! LOL on Summer and Eve... the way their relationship is developing is wonderful. I love the way Eve does things just to irk him. You're not the only one who likes Mavis, I do too. I also think Eve needs her to get away from being the cop all the time & Mavis gives her that outlet.

Nope, you're not off base :D I read somewhere that this was supposed to be a trilogy (the first three books) and perhaps that's why the mystery is not as strong. In the future, you'll have books focused more on the case and in those, the mystery is better :D

About Me

a/k/a Hils. A lover of the written word, I'm an eclectic reader who reads a bit of everything -- from romance to history and science-fiction, and from poetry and LGBT to fantasy and classic literature. I love it all!

"I go on writing in both respectable and despised genres because I respect them all, rejoice in their differences, and reject only the prejudice and ignorance that dismisses any book, unread, as not worth reading. ”